A Perfectly Lovely Tuesday {in San Francisco}

Tuesday can be an odd day. It’s not the start of anything big, like a new week. It’s not got a cute nickname, like Hump Day. It’s not the day before Friday, like Thursday. And it’s not the day before the weekend. It’s just simple old Tuesday. But being away from home & a normal schedule can somehow elevate Tuesday to the level of all those other days of the week. Plus for me, anyway, being in San Francisco certainly helped. I had a perfectly lovely 10-step Tuesday.

1. Down to the Marina in the early morning for some bridge shots. Because foggy bridge shots are mandatory.

2. Up {and down} some hills to North Beach. Because San Francisco is really just an enormous multi-directional roller coaster. Without the screaming. On Washington Square in North Beach there is a beautiful cathedral.

3. Breakfast at Mama’s – just a stone’s throw from the cathedral. Because Mama’s is the place for breakfast in San Francisco. Long lines, but I was there early enough before they opened to be in the first wave. Watching bunches of cute, elderly Asians doing Tai Chi in Washington Square made the wait much more interesting.

One of the specials was the Prawn, Fontina, Mushroom & Asparagus Omelette – $12.95, packed with fresh, oceany goodness – a prawn in every bite. Mama’s is a local legend, and if the lines on a Tuesday are anything to go by, I’d hate to see the lines on a weekend. Famous for their omelette’s and their french toast creations, Mama’s has been serving up great grub for over 50 years, and have accolades from such illustrious tomes as Time, USA Today, The Travel Channel & The Food Network. It’s a San Francisco “must do”, people. They have a very jolly dining area & a rather odd line-up-to-order-&-then-take-a-seat approach, but it was a filling & delicious way to start a Tuesday. Although I did feel rather like I was being herded into a feeding trough.

4. Off to the Mission District for pastries at Tartine. Because I just couldn’t wait any longer. When I got there, there was a line and I actually *had* to wait longer. Having driven 800 miles for the best Lemon Cream Tart in America, I could wait in line for another 10 minutes.

This is what a real croissant looks like half way through eating it. A pile of golden, crispy flakes. And by the time you are done, you’re left with a big old mess.

And this, this is the best Lemon Cream Tart in America. I wrote about it here. I’ve been dreaming about that Lemon Cream Tart for 19 months. It was entirely worth the wait.

5. A drive through the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge. Because driving over the Golden Gate Bridge is just a rush. No matter how many times you do it.

6. A quick nap on the pier by the bridge while waiting for the fog to roll away. Because a nap on a Tuesday lunchtime is a marvellous thing.

7. A stroll around Sausalito. Because Sausalito has to be one of the prettiest little seaside towns anywhere.

8. A drive up to the Marin Headlands. Because you just gotta see the view from up there.

9. A drive down to Rodeo Beach. Because there pretty much won’t be anyone else there. And it’s stunning.